see also

The price to cross will have jump from its current $5 to about $10 for E-ZPass users , and closer to $11 for those who pay with cash, according to the Citizens Budget Commission, which said the state could use the extra dough to cover the $2.9 billion in loans and bonds that it has taken out to construct the new bridge . Drivers who use the commuter program would have to pay about $7, the report says.

“Increasing the toll on the Cuomo Bridge is the most appropriate and equitable way to repay the loans and bonds used to build this bridge,” said CBC President Carol Kellermann.

The CBC also criticized the state for not meeting to discuss the bridge funding.

“New York State and the Thruway Authority continue to avoid discussing what the new toll will be, and this report shows an increase is the best way to repay the debt.,” said Kellermann.

State officials insist they won’t raise tolls for at least another two years.

“The governor is committed to keeping tolls frozen system-wide through 2020, and numerous options exist to further minimize the impact on toll-payers,” said Morris Peters, spokesman for the state’s budget division.